SCREENED AT THE 2005 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: The latest documentary from legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog sheds some light on one Timothy Treadwell, a grizzly bear enthusiast who was killed and devoured by the very creatures he admired so dearly. That Mr. Treadwell was clearly a little bit of a kook does not lessen the tragedy of his death, but perhaps his childish enthusiasm will last as a cautionary tale to those who "love" nature more than they "understand" it.

The bulk of Grizzly Man is comprised of Treadwell's own footage. Often taking off into the Alaskan wilderness to frolic with his massive "friends," Timothy Treadwell clearly had a deep love and devotion for these wonderful mammals. But one clear impression we get from Herzog's take on Tim's life (and death) is that a sincere affection for something is NOT the same thing as a deep and effective comprehension. Numerous times throughout the film we'll hear Tim expounding on how beautiful and perfect these brown bears are, and it's certainly not difficult to agree with that opinion. These are truly majestic beasts that deserve our respect and protection.

But Tim simply took his passions too far. Fully under the mistaken impression that he was "one of the bears," Tim would get waaaaay too close to these dangerous beasts - and it was Treadwell's last mistake that cost him his life...not to mention the life of girlfriend Amie Huguenard.

As one would expect from one of the world's most astute documentarians, Herzog does not make any judgments regarding Treadwell's actions. The director refuses to paint Timothy as an irresponsible goofball or as a misunderstood philanthropist. The cameras do the work here, and it's up to the viewer to decide just how "deserving" Treadwell was of his fate. It's painfully evident that Tim repeatedly tempted fate in reckless fashion, but it's also quite easy to admire Treadwell's sincere affection for these animals. I was left wishing that the guy was just a little more cautious...or a little less arrogant.

In addition to segments of Treadwell's own footage, Herzog introduces us to several of the guy's old friends and family members. Hey, Treadwell even shows up on David Letterman's show...and manages to unwittingly predict his own horrible demise in the process. Grizzly Man does have some morbid appeal, as if it's a true-life version of something Blair Witch-y in nature. But ultimately the movie seems to be about how far a man will go to pursue his passions. Treadwell repeatedly insisted that he will "live and die" alongside his beloved bears.

I only wish the guy had been less insistent about the "dying" part.

The longer that "Grizzly Man" goes on, the clearer it seems that Timothy Treadwell was, indeed, just a few sandwiches shy of a picnic basket. Just about ANY true expert in the ursine department would tell you to stay VERY clear of these wild animals, so it's perhaps easy to say that Tim got what he deserved. And while that may be true (if a little bit cruel), I believe there's still something to be said for the pursuit of true, unfettered passion...regardless of how tragic the results may be.

OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2005 Sundance Film Festival. For more in the 2005 Sundance Film Festival series, click here.
OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2005 Seattle Film Festival For more in the 2005 Seattle Film Festival series, click here.
OFFICIAL SELECTION: 2005 Edinburgh Film Festival. For more in the 2005 Edinburgh Film Festival series, click here.

User Comments

6/20/15

jeanne

His arrogance and ignorance of WHERE HE WAS got two bears killed. Good job, dumbass.

9/20/09

Angry Bear

I may have possibly died briefly during this spectacular explosion of laughable dirge.